Interview with Johanna Tonn-Straavaldsen: On the Importance of Doulas for Expat Moms*

Johanna Tonn-Straavaldsen is the Co-Director of Afloat and a doula in Heidelberg through her company True To You Doula. For our first ever interview for Afloat, she shares how doulas can be a valuable addition to the support system of expecting moms* living abroad.

Afloat: First and foremost, what exactly is a doula?

Johanna: A doula is someone who provides emotional and physical support to women* in pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. After meeting several times in pregnancy to get to know each other, a doula is on call for a family 24 hours a day several weeks before and after the estimated due date. During labor she help with comfort measures (massage, counter pressure, etc.) or she might just be a calming presence in the room, depending on what the mother* needs. Then, in the weeks after a baby is born, she visits the family at home and pitches in where needed so that the mother* can focus on herself and her baby.

As a doula working with international families, my work includes helping families understand the system of prenatal care, answering questions about what to expect during the birth, and translating when needed. Helping families that feel uncertain or stressed at the prospect of giving birth in a new country or unfamiliar language is one of my favorite parts of the job!

Afloat: What is the difference between a doula and a midwife?  

Johanna: Doulas do not provide any medical services, whereas midwives, of course, do. This means that, as a doula, I don’t play a role in monitoring how a mother* and/or baby is doing physically, diagnose potential issues, or make decisions regarding birth.

Whereas midwives often meet a family for the first time when they are in labor and often need to step out to care for other laboring women*, a doula is a known and trusted birth companion who can provide uninterrupted support.

During labor, doulas and midwives work together—both providing a woman* with hands on support and encouragement. It really is powerful to experience what this complimentary support looks and feels like for women* in labor.

Afloat: What interested you most about this work?

I sort of laugh every time someone asks this question because I actually grew up being adamant that I wanted nothing to do with birth. My mom* was a labor and delivery nurse and lactation consultant but I thought that was so boring.

Once my son was born, I realized the power in the vulnerability that exists in pregnancy, birth and postpartum. I also experienced the impact that the birth experience has on a woman*’s relationship to herself, her body, and her baby. As a social worker, I felt drawn to playing a role in ensuring that this phase of life was positive and empowering and not demeaning or traumatic.

Afloat: Are doulas only for first-time moms* without birthing experience?

Johanna: I think that there is a lot of confusion about what type of births doulas attend. There might be a belief that doulas are only for women* who want a certain type of birth—for example, a home birth with no intervention. But doulas support women* through all types of birth. I have supported women* who were having their first baby and who were having their third, women* who were having an unmedicated water birth, and women* who were planning a C-section. For me, the most important thing is that women* feel supported by those around them to make the decisions about their birth that feels right to them.

Afloat: What was one of your best experiences as a doula so far?

Johanna: This isn’t really a fair question because all births are incredible in their own way! I really love the process of getting to know families both in pregnancy and then in the early hours of birth. Those hours are full of excitement and anticipation and there is a lot of time to talk and I learn so much about a family. I also love the power of active labor when I am continually amazed at what women* are able to do and what strength they are able to draw upon.

All of that said, if I really had to name just one then the postpartum visits are my favorite. Those initial weeks with a new baby are such a roller coaster and mothers* often feel fragile and vulnerable. Being able to sit with them, talk, and reflect their own strength back to them is so meaningful to me.

Afloat: What do you think every mom* should know before giving birth?

Johanna: I think that it is important for all women* to know that whatever they are feeling, whatever decisions they make, and whatever type of birth they have, they are doing a great job. It sounds cliché but too often this message is missing. It is so important to remember that there is no ‘right’ way to experience pregnancy, give birth, or feel in the postpartum period. Women* know themselves, their experiences, and what is right for them best of all and they should feel like they can make decisions free from judgement. All women* deserve to have their feelings and decisions about their birth respected and supported.

Afloat: Thank you so much!

Johanna: Thank you!